Case Studies   Vilnius Old Town: Užupis – Paupys Area Case study

3.4. Interviews with local residents and stakeholders

In the year 1999, with the financial support of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and in close co-operation with Housing and Urban Development Fund (HUDF) OTRA organised series of regular meetings with residents of the Old Town. Number of representatives from Užupis-Paupys area took place at those initial meetings, which were aimed to rise public awareness, self-confidence and stimulate private owners establishing homeowners associations (HOA). Specific features of the history of the area, safeguard and presentation of cultural heritage values during the renewal process of the properties, as well as legal conditions, regulations and advantages of creation of HOA were presented and discussed during the meetings. Today, as a parallel activity, OTRA exposed CCB program with the continued support of the UNDP focused on children and youngsters awareness rising and progress of the VOTRS principles. Constantly working with the homeowners’ support OTRA presentations and discussions with residents are focussed on the following topics:

1. how to organise upgrade of the exterior and close environment of living houses

2. how to get municipal financial support for the outdoor upgrade works

3. what are public and private credit funds available for HOAs and what are specific conditions of their use

4. what are perspectives (social, cultural and market) of the preservation of cultural heritage values.

3.3. Vilnius Old Town Renewal and Community Capacity Building Programs    3.5. Participating in local activities